One Summer discussion

My library recently read One Summer for our book group and I was quite surprised to find that there aren't any discussion questions for this book. I decided to post the ones I created if anyone else found themselves in the same dilemma. Sorry if they aren't the best in the world.

1.David Baldacci is known for his thrillers. Compared to his other works how does One Summer stand? Should Baldacci stick to what he knows or maybe has he found a new niche?

2.Was there a particular scene that really connected you with the novel?

3.Bonnie, Jack’s mother-in-law, offers to help support Jack and the kids if Jack will move to Arizona. Her reasoning is in case Jack relapses the kids won’t have to make a big transition again. Jack refuses the offer. Do you think his refusal was selfish or do you understand his reasoning?

4.Mikki admits to Jack that she was the one who spoke to the tabloids. Were you surprised that it was her?

5.Baldacci keeps the writing simple without a lot of detail and depth. Do you think this lack of description enhanced the storyline or held it back?

6.When you first picked up the book was there a particular direction you thought the author was going to go in? Did the book surprise you with its storyline?

7.Did you notice any particular themes that seemed to carry throughout the novel?

8.What do you think of the happy wrapped up ending? Were you expecting Jack to relapse?

These seems like pretty good questions to me. This was the first David Baldacci book I read, so I think I had a different take on it than other people who have read is previous books.

It was also my first Baldacci book, and most of my library's book club, and we were not big fans at all. But die hard Baldacci fans informed us while this isn't his best work (Absolute Power is their #1 pick) that his other works are so great you will want to read anything that he writes (even if it is One Summer)

Judith wrote: "It was also my first Baldacci book, and most of my library's book club, and we were not big fans at all. But die hard Baldacci fans informed us while this isn't his best work (Absolute Power is the..."

That was the next Baldacci boook that I read, Absolute Power and it was a really good book.

I loved this so much. I was soo sad that the wife died, yet it was the catalyst for him to get better. The lighthouse had to be fixed for her and I cried during that part. I gave it to my friend that takes so long to read but I told her that she will love it.

I had only read one other, Wish You Well, which I liked better, although when I read it I thought it was a true story about his family. I almost did not finish One Summer, but decided to stay with it. The ending was pretty predictable after a while.

I read the book and liked it. It was a bit over the edge in circumstantial life stuff....and very fictional. I have not read any of David Baldacci's other books - so I did not expect anything. I will probably read Absolute Power, now that I have read other reviews.

I had also not read any by this author so I liked it also. Ive heard lots of great things about Baldacci and heard as others said here that this is not his usual type and that the others are better. I listened to this on the playaway from the library. I believe it was read by the author. There was some music throughout that helped imagine the story unfolding.
Maybe I liked it better because it was read to me? It was a different audiobook for me but I really enjoyed it.

I adored this book.. I have not read anything else by him other than this book.. I think every author takes a different approach on books.. No book is the same.. This book is awesome I would strongly recommend it..

It was different and a touch of real life

Harley wrote: "It was different and a touch of real life" thats for sure :)

Anne-marie wrote: "I loved this so much. I was soo sad that the wife died, yet it was the catalyst for him to get better. The lighthouse had to be fixed for her and I cried during that part. I gave it to my friend th..."

I was the same way I cried through that part.. it shows true love and what family is all about

My sister cried through out this whole entire book and I didn't understand why. I thought she was just being dramatic. Then I read the book and through out the whole thing I found myself crying. I cried every time he read a letter he had written to his wife. Every time he had a conversation with his children but mostly his daughter. Even when he was talking to Sammy about life. i would recommend this book to everyone and everyone!

I've read Baldacci's other books, and think he should stick to the genre he's known for. At first I could relate to his absolutely driven compulsion, rebuilding the lighthouse... perhaps from both love and survivor's guilt. But, after a time, his obvious O/C shut out his surviving family members, the very ones who needed him most. He became so self-involved, to the detriment of his children. I felt he'd been given the gift of reprieve, and was squandering it...(wake up and tend to your kids, or lose them to Bonnie! ) imo, friend Sammy was the real hero in this novel.

I just completed one summer.
I noticed that only 5 out 7 letters that Jake wrote to Lizzie were part of the book.

Are the two letters missing from the copy I have or they were never part of the book?